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If there are instructions included it should tell you to oil it before installation otherwise they typically come pre-applied. Only needs to be oiled again when you clean it. Even then, I don't recommend using the oil.

Hey let's give the poor guy a break. Sounds like he's never made an online purchase of an air filter before. I don't blame him for at least wanting to make an educated decision. That's what I thought this forum was for....

sit the bloody thing on a piece of newspaper and if it BLEEDS any oil on it....its oiled

if not...it isnt

THIS is ridiculous....in the extreme

Sorry, I am a noob when it comes to this (or anything when it comes to cars). I have never tried to do anything on a car before. I just want to make sure I don't make the engine explode or anything and screwing up my new 10000 dollar purchase.

I didn't realize there was different qualities of filters, oiled vs not, cloth vs paper. I'm trying to educate myself (what are the advantages of the different types) so I can make informed decisions, and keep my car running as it should.

You didn't have to read the thread.

Anyways, I popped in the new filter last night, and it was super easy. I'll leave that ebay filter in there for now until I have a chance to pick up one from the dealer. Thank you all for your help.

^Ditto. Some folks fail to realise that even after reading forum posts, not everyone is still fully clear about a given topic.

Ivanbarker, yes consider using the filter from the dealer next time. You'd have less worry I'd think. This filter is a non-oiled filter.

The potential downside of filters that are "oiled" is that sometime that oil (if there's too much on the filter) can be deposited on stuff like your airflow sensor just downstream of the filter. That isn't a good thing.

Oiled filters use a different type of filter media to normal "non-oiled" air filters. The oiled filter NEED to be properly oiled for them to work properly. Oiled air filters can be cleaned and reused.

Regular filters (non oiled) are just drop in, use, and change when they get dirty in most cases. Some can be cleaned/reused, but most cannot be.

For the price, the original / dealership air filter is a good deal IMHO.

The potential downside of filters that are "oiled" is that sometime that oil (if there's too much on the filter) can be deposited on stuff like your airflow sensor just downstream of the filter. That isn't a good thing.

Oiled filters use a different type of filter media to normal "non-oiled" air filters. The oiled filter NEED to be properly oiled for them to work properly. Oiled air filters can be cleaned and reused.

Regular filters (non oiled) are just drop in, use, and change when they get dirty in most cases. Some can be cleaned/reused, but most cannot be.

For the price, the original / dealership air filter is a good deal IMHO.

That's great, thank you! Does the oil in the filters trap particles (make them stick) more efficiently?

Well that's how the oiled filters work - period. The actual media in those filters is very thin, so it can't really trap stuff on its own without that oil medium.

If you're wondering if it filters more than a stock filter paper - probably not. There was a filter test floating around either on here or the interwebz in general....showing that a stock-type paper filter filtered noticeably better than the "free flow" oiled filters.

When it comes to a drop-in replacement filter, like I said, the original filter should be the best option for the non-modification/tech savvy.

Just inspect periodically, and replace when needed. Simple, and no worries about oiling, cleaning and that sort of thing.

Read the post titled Intake FAQ. It has detailed TESTING of filtration media with proof as to what is best. If you want to research, then you are best served by reading the sticky threads THEN posting your question PRIOR TO purchasing. Research-->Purchase....not the other way around.